Look for the Kinder Tick

The Victorian Government is making it easier for families to find funded and approved kindergarten programs. For kinder you can count on, just look for the Kinder Tick.

About the Kinder Tick

The Kinder Tick helps Victorian families find a funded kindergarten program for their children.

When you see the Kinder Tick, you can be confident:

the program will be led by a qualified teacher
children will benefit from play-based learning
the kindergarten program is funded and approved by the Victorian Government
the program complies with government guidelines and the National Quality Framework.

This is the same in both long day care and sessional or “standalone” kindergarten services.

No matter where your child attends a kindergarten program, they’ll be learning through play with an early childhood teacher. Research shows that play-based learning is the best way to help young children learn, develop well and prepare to thrive at school.

Kinder Tick explainer

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Kinder Tick is not a rating system

All kindergarten programs in Victoria are independently assessed and rated under the National Quality Framework, which is a separate process. You can find descriptions of every service’s National Quality Framework rating on StartingBlocks.

Learn more about how to choose a quality service.

Finding a Victorian Government approved kinder program for your child

Where to look for the Kinder Tick

You can look for the Kinder Tick logo at your local early childhood education and care service, on the service or centre’s building or grounds, on their website or in their information materials.

The Kinder Tick is not linked with Free Kinder. All services running an approved program are eligible to display the tick.

Finding a kinder that suits your family

To find services offering free and government-approved kinder programs with play-based learning, visit the Find a kinder website.

Yellow, pink and green map of with purple icons to indicate the Kinder Tick

Find a kinder program

Find services offering free and government-approved kinder programs with play-based learning.

Talk to your local kindergarten or childcare service about their enrolment process. A central enrolment system may operate in your area. To find out more, contact your local council.

Kinder is a program, not a place

Kindergarten programs are delivered in both long day care and standalone services.

You can choose what works best for your family and child – the kindergarten programs are the same. All funded kindergarten programs in Victoria are led by a qualified early childhood teacher and offer a play-based learning program based on the same government guidelines.

Long day care centre

A long day care centre offers a full day of education and care to children from birth to school age, and many offer a funded kindergarten program as part of their service. The teacher-led kindergarten program may be integrated with additional hours of education and care.

Kindergarten programs delivered in a long day care setting provide flexibility for parents and carers by offering childcare before and after the kindergarten program.

Standalone kindergarten

A standalone kindergarten offers up to 15 hours of a funded kindergarten program to eligible three and four-year-old children.

Availability in both service types

In both service types, the funded kindergarten program may be available on certain days and session times. These days and session times are set by the service.

Deciding where to send your child will depend on which services are available in your community, and your family’s needs.

Enrolling your child at a funded kindergarten program

You can talk to your local kindergarten service about their enrolment process and timelines.

Your local area may also operate a central enrolment process for some or all services. To find out more, contact your local council.

Why kinder programs are important

Research shows that play-based learning is a powerful way to support children’s development. These benefits last into the school years and beyond.

The evidence also shows that two years are better than one when it comes to early learning.

A quality kindergarten program will have more of an impact for children who start at age three than those who start at four.

Learning programs led by teachers are even more important for children who are in vulnerable circumstances.
Young children learn about the world through play. It gives children the opportunity to use their imagination and practise important skills. It also helps their social and emotional development, and wellbeing.

In a kindergarten program, children use play to build their language skills and learn about numbers and patterns. They also learn how to get along with others, share, listen, and manage their emotions. Teachers and educators help children become curious, creative and confident about learning.

Kindergarten programs are designed to meet the needs of their local families. All kindergarten programs work with the Victorian Early Years Learning and Development Framework. This makes sure the programs are appropriate for children's ages, needs and interests.

Translated information about the Kinder Tick

About government funding

To be able to show the Kinder Tick, services must be receiving Victorian Government funding.
This means service providers must:
- provide a kindergarten program that is planned and delivered by a qualified early childhood teacher
- offer a four-year-old kindergarten for at least 15 hours per week for 40 weeks of the year; and offer three-year-old kindergarten for up to 15 hours per week for 40 weeks of the year
- deliver a program in line with the Victorian Early Years Learning and Development Framework as an approved learning framework under the National Quality Framework
- comply with the Victorian Department of Education's standards and guidelines
The amount in kindergarten fees that each family pays can vary based on your location, the type of early childhood education service and existing government subsidies.
It’s best to speak to your service directly about your fees, including any subsidies your family may be eligible for.

Updated 23 July 2024